Dermatology

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Tufted Angioma

Tufted angioma is a vascular tumor that often presents as a red, indurated nodule. It may sometimes spontaneously resolve over years but tends to be persistent in most patients. As with a kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, tufted angiomas can be associated with the Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon.

Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon is a clinical syndrome comprised of coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia due to a rapidly enlarging vascular tumor.

The most common tumors to cause this syndrome are kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and tufted angioma. Symptoms of thrombocytopenia can occur, including bruising and bleeding (both internally and externally), which require emergency care, as they may be life-threatening.